The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) is embroiled in a legal battle with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after staff members blocked a takeover attempt by DOGE officials at the agency's Washington headquarters. The standoff has sparked a federal court intervention, with a lawsuit filed by the USADF board challenging the attempt to remove its members and dismantle the agency without Senate approval.

The incident began when a group led by Pete Marocco, a Trump-backed official from the DOGE, attempted to enter the USADF offices, aiming to fire staff and assume control of the agency. However, USADF employees blocked the entry for over an hour, preventing the takeover. This move is seen as part of the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle government agencies that do not align with its governance style.

The USADF is an independent federal agency that has provided over $100 million in funding to African farmers, entrepreneurs, and community organizations in the past five years. Operating in 21 African countries, the foundation focuses on fragile states and frontier markets, particularly in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, and the Great Lakes regions. Despite its impact, USADF has been targeted for elimination under an executive order issued by Donald Trump, which seeks to cut foreign aid programs.

The DOGE, led by Elon Musk, has been instrumental in the Trump administration's efforts to reduce government costs. Following the executive order, DOGE officials met with USADF leadership, leading to Trump's attempt to remove Ward Brehm from his position on the foundation's board and replace him with Peter Marocco as acting chair. The move sparked widespread resistance, with the USADF board rejecting Marocco's appointment and filing a lawsuit in federal court.

The lawsuit, backed by the Democracy Forward legal group, argues that the foundation's board appointments require Senate approval, as the foundation was established by Congress 45 years ago. Despite the legal challenge, Marocco, backed by federal law enforcement and DOGE staffers, attempted to take control of USADF offices, including accessing computer systems and personnel files. Initially denied entry, he eventually gained access with federal support.

In response, Judge Richard Leon of the DC District Court issued an order preventing Brehm's removal and blocking Marocco's appointment until at least the next court hearing. The USADF, as an independent agency created by Congress, cannot be dismantled without a formal act from parliament according to its legislation. Democracy Forward has vowed to continue fighting what it describes as a Trump-Musk overreach into federal agencies.

The implications of this legal battle are far-reaching, with the future of the USADF and its critical work in Africa hanging in the balance. As the legal and political battles unfold, it remains to be seen how this will impact the agency's ability to continue its mission of supporting African-owned and African-led initiatives.